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DESCRIPTIONS
All of the below bands meet weekly and learn cover tunes. Slag meets year round. Participation in performance groups is open to the public but requires a recommendation from an instructor and/or an audition. See below for complete details.
We also have an adult band, FORGE, depending on interest. If you'd like to be a member of FORGE, please email us at education@madisonmusicfoundry.com.
SLAG
YOUTH ROCK BAND
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Age: High school
Description: The Foundry's flagship band. We actively pursue gigs throughout the year and have previously booked the band at venues and festivals such as Concerts at McKee, Willy Street Fair, Atwood Summerfest, and the Harmony Bar. See below for further eligibilty requirements.
FALL 2023 OPENINGS:
Bass
Vocals
Drums
SANDBLASTERS
YOUTH ROCK BAND
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Age: Middle school, early high school
Description: This group is for youth who have gotten a start on their instrument, but would like to try practicing with a group. We actively pursue gigs throughout the year and have previously booked the band at venues and festivals such as Concerts at McKee, Willy Street Fair, Atwood Summerfest, and the Harmony Bar. See below for further eligibilty requirements.
OPENINGS: TBA for Fall, 2023
SCHEDULE**
SLAG: Saturdays, 11am-1pm
SANDBLASTERS: Saturdays, 1:30-3pm
GIGS
Groups play an average of a gig a month all year long with a heavier schedule in the summer.
Contact us for more information about SLAG's/Sandblaster's schedules.
COST
SLAG:
$84/month | $74/month Current Foundry Lesson Students
SANDBLASTERS:
$79/month | $69/month Current Foundry Lesson Students
ELIGIBILITY
- Must be a private lesson student at Madison Music Foundry, be recommended by an instructor, and be a high school senior or equivalent or younger;*
- AND/OR
- Tryout with the band. For youth a recommendation from a private or school teacher is preferred. We may ask for an audition prior to tryout.
*If we receive multiple recommendations for the same spot, we may hold auditions for current students as well.
GROUP SIZE
It is our hope that the group has multiple members on each instrument. Our goal is to have two drummers, two bassists, three guitars, and one keyboard and up to two vocalists.
EXPECTATIONS
- Attendance - It's expected that everyone tries to make it to every rehearsal. Recognizing that reality doesn't always meet our expectations, it will be up to the coach to decide whether a student is ready for a performance based on rehearsal attendance.
- Performances - We are finding new performances all the time. We'll contact the group regarding each performance to see if enough members are available to make it happen. We will always give as much advance notice as possible. Plus if we have some redundancy in instrumentation, this allows for greater flexibility for scheduling gigs, and hopefully creates opportunities for you to play more tunes.
QUESTIONS?
Please send an email to education@madisonmusicfoundry.com.
STEFAN TRUESDELL
COACH OF SLAG AND SANDBLASTERS
Stefan has been playing guitar, touring and recording for over 25 years. He studied at Lakeshore Conservatory and at UW-Whitewater where he learned marketing skills which helped his alt-metal band Dead Fly Boy land a record deal with Sector II Records. He has toured the U.S. repeatedly in notable acts such as the reggae group Natty Nation and funk group Weapons of Mass Defunktion.
Stef finds teaching to be one of the most rewarding parts of being a musician. He wants students to get the most out of lessons whether they are beginning students with no or few musical skills, already versed in music theory, currently performing musicians, or itching to do something with that guitar that's been sitting around gathering dust in the corner. He is versed in multiple styles and wants students to feel comfortable with themselves and work at a pace that's right for them.
www.reverbnation.com/womd
www.facebook.com/weaponsofmassdefunktion